Xunantunich Mayan Ruins: Belize's Second Tallest Building

Updated Oct 3, 2022 • 5 min read

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.

Despite being one of Belize's most popular attractions, Xunantunich's magic has been preserved. The site includes a ferry ride, hiking trail and stunning views.

Have you ever been to a popular attraction only to be disappointed with how commercialized, overcrowded and underwhelming it is? Xunantunich is not that type of place.

As a local that has lived in San Ignacio and visited this site every other weekend, I can confirm that this site offers a unique experience for anyone. It's definitely worth a visit.

Let's find out why.

General Information

Before we dive in, how do we even say Xunantunich? This is how it's said based on phonetics of the Mayan language.

Facts About Xunantunich

1. To date, the temple of El Castillo (The Castle) is the second largest man-made structure in Belize measuring 130ft (40m).
2. The site is approximately half a mile (1km) away from the border with Guatemala.
3. Xunantunich means Stone Maiden. It is said that a maiden appeared one night, more than a century ago, but quickly dissolved into the stone of El Castillo leaving only the name for this ancient city.
4. Xunantunich was not a large city and had a population of 7,000 to 10,000 people living within a radius of 1.86 miles (3 km) from the site center.
5. It is fairly common to see destination weddings performed at Xunantunich including the entire ceremony.

Xunantunich Highlights

What To Expect

In my opinion, Xunantunich is for everyone. It includes all the elements that will satisfy most travelers.

Xunantunich Tours

There are two main tours available at the site:

Regular Tour Guide

Tour guides can be hired at the entrance before taking the ferry across the river. Prices start at $30.00 USD for a two-hour session for two people. Alternatively, you can book this tour with any tour company in San Ignacio Town.

Horseback Riding Tour

While I'm not sure about the ethics of most horseback riding companies in Belize, this tour is available to the site. It starts at San Jose Succotz and goes to Xunantunich and lasts a total of 4-5 hours including an hour at the site. This tour is not available on site and needs to be pre-booked.

Xunantunich Insider Tips

1. Avoid the midday sun: if you enjoy birding, getting there at in the early morning or late evening can increase your chances of spotting birds, iguanas and maybe even howler monkeys. Plus the weather will be much cooler without the harsh midday sun.
2. Hike the trail: if you're on a car rental and have free time, I highly recommend parking your car and hiking up the one-mile trail. It's perfect for bird watching.
3. Hand-crank the ferry: don't be afraid to ask the ferry worker to give you a shot at cranking it.
4. Consider hiring a guide: there are no informational signs for the temples or plazas, so you might as well be looking at a pile of stones. If history is important to you, hire a guide or check out the Visitor Center.
5. Check the Visitor Center: if you decide to explore the site without a guide, check out the visitor center at the beginning of the path. It has plenty of historical facts and information.
6. Visit Cahal Pech too: Cahal Pech combines perfectly with Xunantunich for a day trip. Both sites offer a unique experience and are easily accessible from San Ignacio.

How To Get To Xunantunich

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Xunantunich is by shared taxi from San Ignacio. It's a scenic 20-minute drive towards San Jose Succotz followed by a river crossing via ferry and a short one-mile hike towards the site entrance. You can also get there by bus and car rental.

These are the three main ways you can there:

1. By Shared Taxi - cheap & fast at $1.50 USD
2. By Bus - cheapest option at $1.00 USD
3. By Car - fastest & most convenient

By shared taxi

1. From San Ignacio, take a shared taxi (colectivo) in front of Martha's Guesthouse crossroads for $1.50 USD ($3.00 BZD) per person.
2. Before entering the taxi, tell the driver you are going to Xunantunich since this goes towards the Guatemalan Border.
3. Upon arrival, you'll see the big brown sign labeled Xunantunich Archeological Reserve along with the ferry that looks like a floating house.

By bus

1. Take a bus from San Ignacio to Xunantunich by starting at C.W.C Bus Stop found beside the Cayo Welcome Center. Check the San Ignacio bus schedule for more details.
2. Wait for a bus labeled as BENQUE, go in the bus and tell the driver you are stopping at Xunantunich. After being seated, the conductor will charge you $1.00 USD ($2.00 BZD).
3. Upon arrival, you'll see the big brown sign labeled Xunantunich Archeological Reserve.

By car

1. Driving to Xunantunich is easy. First, head towards San Jose Succotz from San Ignacio.
2. Stop upon seeing the Xunantunich Archeological Reserve sign where you can also see the small ferry.
3. Park your car and wait for instructions from the ferry operators. The ferry transfers up to four cars in one trip and takes a couple of minutes to transfer you across the river.

Helpful Information